If they're like the 2009 - which I suspect they are - then they are stuck on with something like double-sided tape.

I believe micbergsma probably has a video of this on YouTube.

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/micbergsma? ... 7S8HTH89gY

 

Fantastic guys! I have seen a number of micbergsma's videos. He really has a lot of very informative documentation. Very helpful.

Thanks again guys!

 

He's a damned good videographer too !

BTW I agree with his well mimed opinion regarding the attractiveness of the reflectors, one of the first things that came off my '03...

 

You make a really good point cliffyk. Beats the heck out of spending some $20+ for a replacement reflector. Just take the blow dryer to both of them and be done with it!

 

Take a look at a 400 at night with the lights on--the side illumination from the headlights and taillights make it entirely visible to anyone but a blind man. The reflectors are there because something that made tactical and strategic sense 20-30 years ago when bikes were much less sophisticated became policy.

The reason they look "tacked on" is because the are, just to make the US DOT happy.

Here's a side shot of a European 2011 400--no silly and ugly reflectors, even in the Euro-zone nanny state:

 

Personally, I like being seen. I often commute in the dark and in the rain. I figure the other drivers need all the help they can get to see me.

Chris

 

Hi Chris,

I have been looking for a way to replace the stock side reflectors with LEDS - as you appear to have done in this picture - and have a couple of questions i hoped you could help me with:

1) I have found some flat, surface mount 2" dia. LEDs - I THINK - based on the shabby descriptions from the websites. Do you could recall where you got the ones you used or what brand they are?

2) I am a little concerned about making the front amber ones look good. I was thinking I would separate the stock reflector from the stock black plastic baseplate and then mount the LED unit to the baseplate. All good in theory... but I wonder if it all comes apart cleanly and actually can be reused.

Thanks for any help you or anyone can offer.

Pete

 

As I laid my bike down a couple of weeks ago and am in the process of repairing tupperware and re-painting, I can say without question that it is held on with a kind of two-sided tape. the adhesive is difficult to remove. I had to use Goof. Wasn't worried about the finish because it was going to be painted, but the finish wasn't damaged. I think anything which helps visibility is worth replacing. Just my two cents.

N

 

FWIW, on the pre-2007 models the front reflectors are fastened with a single machine screw/nut and have a locating pin, leaving two holes in the black portion of the upper tupperware--plastic push pins with a thinnish textured finish head took care of that for me...

 

It's definitely held on with double sided tape. Use a blow dryer (Not a heat gun) to heat up the reflector while gently pulling on the reflector.

BTW that reflector isn't cheap, I paid $31 for the replacement.

 

Daboo every time I see your Burgman I think of the movie Tron, maybe you can get it in the sequel. It really is a eye catcher. I also never saw the point in the vest untill I noticed someone wearing one coming down the road and could not believe how it caught my attention.

 

A friend of mine at work rode a BMW on a 45 mile each way commute. I'd pull up to him on my Kymco Bet&Win 250 each day and I'd be wearing my hi-vis yellow vest. He'd be dressed as a "real" motorcycle rider in all black. 8) Then one day he was wearing a bright hi-vis vest himself and I asked him why. He said he watched as a large black Labrador was hit about 9 times on the freeway at night. No one saw the poor dog till it was too late. :shock: He got to thinking how that could be him.

The nice part about reflective tape (or reflectors like the one on this thread), is they don't require any electrical source. If a car is in the area, it will provide the light. In about a month, the rain will be coming down consistently. The commute will be in the dark, or close to it. And even in the daylight, the road and sky will be just shades of grey with grey road spray to cause everything in front of you to disappear. I do everything I can to make sure I can be seen. In well over 60,000 miles of commuting these past few years, I haven't had hardly any cases where there was a close call, or I even had to grab the brakes hard. So it must work.

Chris

 

When I pull the nose later this year to do some checking and maintenance, I'm thinking about installing these and removing the reflectors - just scoll down until you see the round amber ones.

 

Just another option...

I removed my side reflectors for aesthetics. As a replacement option, I taped the entire side panel (the long skinny black piece that runs from the driver foot to the rear passenger foot) with SOLAS marine grade reflective tape. Its adhesive is designed to stick even in sea conditions, so there's no issue with it not being able to remain adhered to our bikes. You can see pics in my recent thread about tip-over points - it's the grayish section in the middle of the bike profile.

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=53975

I believe SOLAS is the most reflective material available. I purchased mine at http://www.identi-tape.com The adhesive is aggressive, but can be peeled off with some good pull. I've removed test pieces with some grunt and it's doesn't leave any residue either. So, imagine Chris' bike reflectivity, only with mine, it's one giant reflector.

Dan

 

I remember seeing cars with side marker lights for the first time in the 1960s. I was amazed that I could see a car crossing or entering a road from so far away in the dark. Before side marker lights they would have been invisible. Side reflectors are the same idea. A motorcycle with no lights on would be invisible to a car at night until it was too late to stop. It is less of an issue now because motorcycle lights are supposed to be always on when operating. However, parked bikes are still at risk. Personally, I'll do all I reasonably can to make sure that others on the road with me know where I am. Of course, if they are really trying to run me over I've just made it easier. :roll:

 

Those are not leds, just regular reflectors. Best solution in my view is to use whelen TIR3 (used in road signs) or similar led lighting system. I believe this should even have come on B-series as standard.